Ridge Lytton Springs Red Blend 2019
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Appealing nose of pepper, and raspberry. Layered plum, blackberry, and cocoa on the palate with chalky tannins and a lingering finish.
Pair with Texas-style BBQ beef brisket, a classic American burger, or fig stuffed pork loin.
Blend: 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, 2% Mataro
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Ridge Lytton Springs offers the power of Zinfandel and the synergy of how well this grape variety blends with other grapes. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines in its aromas and flavors with bold black fruits that last on its elevated textures. Pair it with Slow-Cooked Short Ribs in a Red Wine Reduction Sauce. (Tasted: March 27, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Lytton Springs checks in as 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan and Mataro. Revealing a translucent ruby/plum hue as well as beautiful cassis and red plum fruits supported by lots of savory herbs, orange blossom, cigar, and spice-driven aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, moderate yet present tannins, and a great finish. While the Geyserville Cuvee has eclipsed the Lytton Spring in most vintages in the past decade, that's not the case in 2019.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
73% Zinfandel; 16% Petite Sirah; 9% Carignane; 2% Mataro. Here is an old-fashioned Zinfandel wrapped in new clothes and scoring both for its mix of berries and black fruits with hints of spice and briar, as well as a nicely integrated layer of sweet, rich oak. The wine enjoys the depth of the “big boys” but never gives in to its full ripeness, and its supple entry, mid-palate polish and finishing tannins amplify its keen focus and continuity from front to back. Lytton Springs Zins have shown well in our tastings of older wines, and there is every reason to believe that this one will also perform well for years to come. on ripe berries, the wine layers in a brown leaf, tobacco-like note that adds nicely to its range and depth. Very well-balanced with vibrant acidity somewhat noticeable at present, it may impress some as unusually tart for a ripe Zinfandel while others will be happy with its pert aspects. It is somewhat tight in the late going and bottle age will be a benison here.
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Wine Enthusiast
This densely packed and deeply concentrated blend of Zinfandel with 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan and 2% Mataro is practically legendary. It boasts subtle, complex fruit flavors ranging from raspberry to blackberry to blueberry, while a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins and a subtle raspberry-like tartness give it great structure. Best from 2025. Cellar Selection.
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Vinous
The 2019 Lytton Springs is another embryonic wine in this range. Readers will have to be patient. Time in the glass brings out an exotic mélange of rose petal, blood orange, pomegranate and star anise, all wrapped together by plush, silky tannins. There is a lot of wine here. Healthy dollops of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro round out the blend, but the Zinfandel is pretty expressive in the leading role.
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Wine Spectator
Detailed and compelling, with briar patch and wild red berry aromas leading to distinctive, multilayered white pepper and smoky anise flavors, which build complexity toward refined tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro. Drink now.
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Ridge's history begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He planted vineyards and constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. The historic building now serves as the Ridge production facility.
Though Ridge began as a Cabernet winery, by the mid-60s, it had produced several Zinfandels including the Geyserville. In 1972, Lytton Springs joined the line-up and the two came to represent an important part of Ridge production. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of Chardonnay since 1962.
The Ridge approach is straightforward: find the most intense and flavorful grapes, guide the natural process, draw all the fruit's richness into the wine. Decisions on when to pick, when to press, when to rack, what varietals and what parcels to include and when to bottle, are based on taste. To retain the nuances that increase complexity, Ridge winemakers handle the grapes and wine as gently as possible. There are no recipes, only attention and sensitivity.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.